How will you significantly improve health care accessibility, affordability, outcomes or care delivery with a technological solution?
Innovation Challenge
Inviting All UCLA Students to Solve Real-World Problems Through Tech
If you are from any UCLA undergraduate or graduate school or discipline, you have an opportunity to solve societal problems using tech to win cash prizes — which total $90,000 this year! Teams must be comprised of at least one UCLA MBA and a non-MBA from UCLA.
Innovation Challenge Prompts
Choose one of the following:
How will you significantly improve the sustainability of our environment with respect to water, energy, climate, transportation or ecosystems with a technological solution?
How will you significantly improve societal outcomes in a key area (healthcare, transportation, education, sustainability, etc.) with a generative AI solution?
*Subject to change
Challenge Structure
This opportunity provides multiple touchpoints for students to learn from industry experts in Easton’s network, while collaborating with like-minded students to take an exciting venture to the next level.
Fall Quarter
Workshop and Event Series:
- Learn the best practices related to innovation management.
- Inspire and facilitate team formation.
- Practice ideation and develop business plans.
November 12th, 2024 - Info Session / Team Formation Mixer
November 15th, 2024 - UCLA Ideathon
Winter Quarter
January: Additional Networking Events
- January 22nd, 2025 - Cross-Campus UCLA Team Formation Mixer hosted @ Engineering Breezeway
- February 5th, 2025 - Info Session / Team Formation Mixer hosted @ Anderson Accelerator
February: Team Registration and Business Plan Submission!
- Register your team by February 9th, 2025!
- Business plans must be submitted no later than 2 weeks after the team registration deadline.
February/March: Qualifying Review
- Industry experts will review, critique, and grade the business plans.
- Every team that submits a business plan will receive their detailed feedback from the reviewers.
- Up to five finalist teams will be selected in each track to continue onto the final round.
Spring Quarter
March/April: Advising Program and Finals Preparation
- Each finalist team will get the opportunity to connect with up to three of our expert advisors for guidance in refining their proposed innovations.
- Finalist teams will prepare their slide deck and revise their business plans in preparation for the final pitches.
April/May: Final Rounds / Live Pitches
- Finalists will submit their revised business plans and slide decks a week before presenting.
- Finalists will present their business ideas to a panel of expert judges in front of a public audience.
- The winning teams will be announced during the reception following each event!
Innovation Challenge Events
Prizes
Team Testimonials
Students Driving Change
UCLA Anderson Innovation Challenge 2022 Is on the Horizon
The aim is to solve real-world problems through technology
Nur Labs Engineers Early Lung Cancer Detection Platform
A UCLA cross-campus innovation challenge created synergy for a startup
Partners
Special thanks to Dean Tony Bernardo for his continued support of this very important cross campus initiative
Supporting Organizations
Rules and Contact Information
For rules and competition details click here.
For any other questions, please contact Connor Dougherty, Innovation Challenge Program Manager at connor.dougherty@anderson.ucla.edu OR schedule a 1:1 meeting via Calendly.